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* locality: Crete, Greece
* date: 29 June 2008
* size: ~8mm
* habitat: in and around country house
* substrate: marble table :)

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Posterior view of the same fly:

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Sarcophagidae?

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Musca autumnalis. Very reddish abdomen.

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I think this is a female Musca domestica rather than autumnalis.

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due the relative size of orbital plates and frontalia? ;)

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Exactly. Actually I should recheck the gender.

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Thanks for the input Jorge and Gabor, although I really wish I could understand what "orbital plates" and "frontalia" are :)

Interestingly enough, Fauna Europaea lists both M.domestica and M.autumnalis as Absent from the island of Crete! Now I know that it's not a very reliable source on Cretan fauna, but I thought it was worth mentioning... The only Musca species that they list as Present on the island are M.larvipara, M.osiris and M.tempestiva. Any thoughts on this?

I'm not an expert by far, but if you tell me what views would help best (if any), I could try and get more photos...

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Marko Overvuews section is your friend. :D

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I think Fauna Europaea is wrong, probably both autumnalis and domestica occur on the island, provided cattle are kept there.

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Thanks again for the input guys! Jorge, you've done a great job on these illustrations :)

Actually cattle are scarce on Crete. Although animal husbandry is a vital activity for the local economy, people here prefer raising goats and sheep, as they are better suited to the island's mainly rocky mountainous terrain and hot/dry climate. Thus, there are loads of goats and sheep on Crete, but very few bovines.

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which may explain the apparent scarcity of autumnalis. Domestica however, should be present everywhere near human habitations.

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So, the final word on this is: female Musca domestica. Thanks again! :)